Another major reason why linen threads are not suitable for machine sewing is that they are nearly all S spun. That makes them very suitable for BL because most BL has more twists than crosses in its construction and the twist action will tend to tighten a Z spun thread but loosen an S spun thread. However, sewing machines are all made to take Z spun thread. Even if you do find a nice smooth linen it will tend to come unspun with the action of the sewing machine and the machine will definitely not be happy.
Really you only have two choices - use cotton (not polyester!) in your sewing machine or use the linen thread you used to make the lace and attach it by hand. Having spent a lot of time making the lace I personally would choose to attach it by hand even if the dress itself is linen fabric sewn together with cotton. Brenda On 26 Jan 2013, at 08:14, lacel...@frontier.com wrote: > In all my sewing experience, I haven't found any machine thread made of > linen. It's the nature of the textile that makes it unsuitable for machines. > Linen thread tends to be a bit irregular in thickness, and has slubs. It is > also not slippery. Thread for machines needs to be very even and smooth, and > slide easily through all the gears. A sewing machine makes the thread rub > against metal about 20 times before it is sewn in the fabric. Slubs would > jam up the works. > > In history, machine laces didn't become a major commercial venture until > cotton thread became widely available (after the development of the cotton > gin). The linen thread just would not slide easily through all the slots and > gears. Cotton thread did. Brenda in Allhallows www.brendapaternoster.co.uk - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
